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Base salaries of full-time Dunmore police officers will increase 17.34 percent through 2017 under an arbitration award that ends an impasse in negotiations between borough officials and the police union.

Arbitrators also declined the borough's request to require 17 full-time police officers to contribute toward health insurance premiums in the decision that now becomes the new collective bargaining agreement.

The Act 111 award, which The Times-Tribune obtained through a Right to Know Law request on Wednesday, immediately increases full-time police officer salaries 3 percent to $57,145 for 2013.

Sergeants currently make 3 percent more than rank-and-file officers, while lieutenants make 5 percent more and captains make 5.5 percent more.

The award increases sergeant salaries to 4 percent more than regular full-time officers, lieutenant salaries to 5.25 percent more and captain salaries to 6.75 percent more starting in 2015.

Meanwhile, part-time police officer pay immediately increases 50 cents an hour to $15.50 for 2013 and another 50 cents an hour to $16 in January.

Then the arbitration award increases the hourly rate for the borough's typical pool of about 10 part-timers 50 cents in 2015, 60 cents in 2016 and 75 cents to $17.85 in 2017.

Yearly uniform allowances also increase under the award from $800 to $900 in January, $1,000 in 2015 and $1,100 in 2017 for full-time officers.

Allowances for part-timers increase from a maximum of $250 to a flat $300 annually in January, $350 in 2015 and $400 in 2017.

Arbitrators added Easter to the list of "festive holidays" for police officers that also include New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas. Officers who work those days get time and a half.

The award stipulates the assistant police chief position is administrative only, and the position cannot displace a union officer from a shift or day off.

Although the award does not require officers to contribute to health care costs, arbitrators allowed the borough to shop for another plan if reimbursements for prescription costs for any one full-time officer exceed $5,000 in a year.

"After careful consideration of the fact that Dunmore borough firefighters ... achieved significant concessions from the borough in the areas of manning, civil service and disability pensions ... a majority of this panel has declined ... to grant the borough's request for members of the bargaining unit to contribute toward their health care," arbitrators wrote.

The decision requires both sides to meet no later than Jan. 31 to negotiate a drug and alcohol testing policy.

Arbitrators directed borough and union leaders to begin negotiating whether part-time officers can be assigned to cover shift vacancies before full time officers by April 1.

Borough Manager Vito Ruggiero said the arbitration award will not significantly change the 2014 budget plan, and Dunmore's finances have improved to the point at which officials can handle some unexpected costs.

Three years ago, the borough was on the verge of becoming a distressed or even bankrupt municipality, but Dunmore's finances have since improved.

Salvatore Verrastro, president of borough council, said earlier this week Dunmore still had about $1.8 million left in its coffers with two weeks left in the 2013 fiscal year.

"The borough will continue on the path we have chosen and has proven successful," Mr. Ruggiero said. "We will continue to provide high quality services."

Capt. William Springer, president of the Dunmore Borough Police Officers Association, could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.

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